There’s this phrase, “We should jam sometime” that I have always been turned off by. In my personal experience, to "jam" has meant that two or more musicians with temporarily heightened egos, join forces on a song, each taking turns to out-play the others. When I think about the prospect of a jam session, a certain song comes to mind that goes, “Anything you can do, I can do better, I can do anything better than you.” Non-musicians, imagine for a minute that you’re getting together with one or more people to do an agreed upon thing, and the whole time, everyone involved in that thing is like, “Hey! Look what I can do! Look! Me!” It gets annoying. This is not a dis on people who love to jam, it just isn’t my bag. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m an Americana singer/songwriter and have been performing solo for a number of years and doing just fine. I don’t generally play well with others and haven’t particularly wanted to… Enter Captain Davey Hazard, the man responsible for turning my acoustic little world upside down with his screaming amplifiers and distortion pedals.

Davey and I are coworkers and I remember how I purposely ignored him for nearly a year- not even making eye contact when we would pass in the hall. I admit that I was just being anti-social and mean. One day though, we happened to be in the same place at the same time and the silence was starting to get uncomfortable. Davey innocently started talking about music. We both coincidentally were writing movie scores. We both played guitar. Guess what Davey said next? Yup. He uttered the dreaded phrase: “We should jam sometime” I scowled and declined. Davey is a persistent man when he sets his mind to something however and over time, I broke down and agreed to have a “jam session” with this tall, handsome stranger. We met in his mother’s basement and during a state of unexpected creative euphoria, we wrote “Fragile 17” in about 20 minutes. I guess I CAN play well with others! What followed was a series of writing/jam sessions that resulted in a catalog of now 40 songs.

Even though these days I sing for a rock band, I still hold onto my acoustic roots and I always love a good old wooden instrument! I don’t know how you all feel about it, but I would rather listen to an acoustic show than one where I need to insert earplugs any day, despite my bandmate’s affection for loud and hard. I really love when Hot Pink Hangover gets to play acoustic shows. And we have one coming up that I hope all of you will join us for. On 4/20 we’ll be unplugged in the Mission Room at the Hook & Ladder and we’re recording a full-length acoustic album in front of a small, live audience. We want you to be there as we make history together with YOUR banter and our songs. Come see how far we’ve come since that afternoon in Davey Hazard’s mom’s basement. But let it be known, that if anyone else ever asks me to “jam” the answer is still no.

2 comments

JaneneCoon Rapids

Apr 5 2019 9:31 AM

I love these memories, when you open up and share with us. I love that you chose what and when you share, timing is really everything. Personally I love the the acoustic too, hearing your voices, it is really a special experience. NOT taking away from the band, ear plugs and all !! But I am so looking forward to April 20th!! The acoustic full length album !! It is up close and personal, that moves me in a different way, not better, just different. From the outside looking in I never see anyone trying to out do each other, so I am happy you and the Captain Davey gave it a go. I feel nothing but love, support, and encouragement in your musical, real family. I am super glad that you and the captain gave it a try, this is a beautiful part of my life. I love seeing you play, and really fell for Lake Avenue, YOU gave me that gift. You are all gifted and I want to tell you I really mean it, I love music. Too many years ago, I was in the bars, I was 15 years old getting in to First Ave!! I knew Prince before prince was PRINCE. Guess that makes me old, LOL. I know will have this joy again in my life, because I will be able to say I knew Hot Pink Hangover, before they became super famous HOT PINK HANGOVER!! Thank you for being true to yourselves, your music and your fans. PLEASE keep it coming!! Because you are going places, great places!!

I love these memories, when you open up and share with us. I love that you chose what and when you share, timing is really everything. Personally I love the the acoustic too, hearing your voices, it is really a special experience. NOT taking away from the band, ear plugs and all !! But I am so looking forward to April 20th!! The acoustic full length album !! It is up close and personal, that moves me in a different way, not better, just different. From the outside looking in I never see anyone trying to out do each other, so I am happy you and the Captain Davey gave it a go. I feel nothing but love, support, and encouragement in your musical, real family. I am super glad that you and the captain gave it a try, this is a beautiful part of my life. I love seeing you play, and really fell for Lake Avenue, YOU gave me that gift. You are all gifted and I want to tell you I really mean it, I love music. Too many years ago, I was in the bars, I was 15 years old getting in to First Ave!! I knew Prince before prince was PRINCE. Guess that makes me old, LOL. I know will have this joy again in my life, because I will be able to say I knew Hot Pink Hangover, before they became super famous HOT PINK HANGOVER!! Thank you for being true to yourselves, your music and your fans. PLEASE keep it coming!! Because you are going places, great places!!

Hot Pink Hangover

Apr 5 2019 12:33 PM

Janene,
You are so kind to say all of those heart-felt things about our band connection and what it has done for your personal situation. We all love you as family and are so happy to have met you and have your continued support. I'm thrilled you'll be there with us on April 20 and that you are so enthusiastic about what we're doing. We'll see you at the Lake Avenue show! -Mercy Danger

Janene,

You are so kind to say all of those heart-felt things about our band connection and what it has done for your personal situation. We all love you as family and are so happy to have met you and have your continued support. I'm thrilled you'll be there with us on April 20 and that you are so enthusiastic about what we're doing. We'll see you at the Lake Avenue show! -Mercy Danger